All 136 UN weapons inspectors flew out of Saddam International airport today after receiving orders toquit Iraq ahead of an imminent war.
Mr Hiro Ueki, spokesman for the UN inspectors in Iraq, said the first plane-load of inspectors was to depart to Larnaca, Cyprus.
Larnaca is the rear-base for the disarmament inspectors, who resumed work in Iraq in November after a four-year break.
Secretary General Kofi Annan yesterday ordered the evacuation of the UN arms inspectors and humanitarian staff from Iraq. He also suspended the oil-for-food programme, which allows Baghdad to export oil in return for essential supplies.
AFP
